Latest California Healthline Stories
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Faces at Least 27 Antitrust Lawsuits
As of Wednesday, at least 27 lawsuits had been filed against the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and its 38 member health plans alleging that they conspired to divide the U.S. health care market into geographical areas to avoid competition with each other. BCBS plan members and health care providers argue that such non-compete deals violate state and federal antitrust laws. Reuters.
State Retracts Claims Against Prison Mental Health System Monitor
The state has withdrawn claims that a federal monitor of the prison mental health care system gave negative reports to boost his law firm’s revenue. However, the state maintains that the system does not need federal oversight. San Francisco Chronicle, AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Insurance ‘Rate Up’ Practice Common, Analysis Finds
At least 80% of individual health insurance plans charge higher premiums than they originally quoted applicants, a practice known as “rate up,” according to an analysis of HHS data released this week by Health Pocket, a provider of online health plan shopping tools. According to the analysis, the health plans on average increased the premiums for 18% of applicants. Payers & Providers.
L.A. County Supervisor Says ACA Implementation a Priority
At a forum on Wednesday, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky — who is leaving public office in 2014 because of term limits — said his priorities until then include advancing the county’s preparations to implement the Affordable Care Act. He said the county must prepare to meet the health care demands of newly insured residents who previously have been dependent on the county’s four hospitals. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
Calif. Senate Bill Seeks To Help Veterans Collect More Federal Benefits
A state Senate bill would allocate $11 million to county veteran service offices to help veterans collect more federal benefits. Observers say about $400 million in health care and other benefits for veterans go uncollected each year because of delays and paperwork issues. U-T San Diego.
OIG Report: Medicare Part B Overpaying for Infusion Medications
A new report by the HHS Office of Inspector General finds that Medicare Part B is paying 54% to 122% more than the market price for infusion drugs because the payments are based on wholesale prices rather than average sales prices. The Hill‘s “RegWatch,” The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
CalPERS Aims To Reopen Long-Term Insurance Plan, Expand Eligibility
A CalPERS committee has approved a plan to reopen enrollment for its long-term care insurance program by the end of the year. The proposal — which must be approved by lawmakers — would allow beneficiaries’ adult children to enroll. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker.”
Parents Push for Sharing More Research Data on Children
Parents of children with rare and debilitating diseases are urging researchers to share their patient data so children are not required to participate in so many studies. Federal agencies — such as NIH and FDA — also have begun to support the idea of encouraging researchers to share patients’ medical data. Despite the push, companies and academic researchers are reluctant to share proprietary research information. Wall Street Journal.
Bill Would Repeal Antitrust Exemption for Insurers
On Tuesday, Reps. Peter DeFazio and Louise Slaughter reintroduced legislation that would repeal a provision in a 1945 law that exempts health insurers from federal antitrust laws. DeFazio and Slaughter argue that protections under the McCarran-Ferguson Act increase health care costs by allowing insurers to inflate the cost of care and limit competition. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
HHS Halts Enrollment in High-Risk Insurance Pools
On Friday, HHS officials announced that they are halting enrollment in the federal high-risk insurance pools created under the Affordable Care Act, citing rising costs and limited funding. The pools were designed to help sick U.S. residents gain coverage ahead of January 2014, when the ACA’s ban on denying individuals coverage because of pre-existing conditions is set to take effect. Reuters.